The time in a women's life when her last period ends and the ovaries stop releasing eggs is known as menopause. Before this cessation, however, a women may begin to experience a variety of changes in her body including irregular periods, hot flashes, vaginal dryness or soreness, insomnia, depression, extreme sweating and urination, increase/decrease in sexual desire, etc. Also during menopause, estrogen levels drop and bones may become more brittle and subject to breakage. Almost 25% of women are at an increase risk for osteoporosis, a condition in which bones lose strength and fracture easily.

Planned Parenthood has a mid-life program in which clients receive information to demystify this time in a woman?s life. Both hormonal and non-hormonal approaches to menopause are discussed. Hormonal approaches include thorough discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of hormonal replacement therapy (the role of estrogen and progestin). Non-hormonal approaches, discussed with all women including those choosing not to take estrogens, involve counseling for a healthy lifestyle, nutrition, exercise, smoking cessation, alcohol and drug use, medications, tension reduction, and sexual changes.

The medical evaluation includes a comprehensive health history, physical examination, laboratory tests, therapy to reduce common symptoms of menopause and for osteoporosis, and health education.